November 07, 2018 at 07:09AM If you’re vegan but not into meal prepping, Trader Joe’s is bae. The healthy grocer has long been a vegan food powerhouse (case in point: healthy cauliflower bowls, organic mocha lattes, and every type of nut milk you can imagine). And now, TJ’s is selling something that previously has been really hard to find if you’re dairy- or egg-free: vegan ranch dressing. Specifically, TJ’s is now offering a new vegetable tray (just in time for holiday party season) that comes with a container of vegan ranch dip. It’s not only making being vegan that much more convenient (and delicious—who doesn’t love ranch?!), but it’s also providing a much healthier alternative for anyone who’s working to keep their goals in check over the holidays. View this post on Instagram Just in the time for the holidays, @traderjoes is here to make them super simple. @rollercoastervegan A post shared by VegNews Magazine (@vegnews) on Nov 5, 2018 at 9:05am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js Traditional ranch dressing, according to the USDA, comes in at 130 calories per 2 Tbsp. Most have vegetable oil as the first ingredient, followed by water, sugar, buttermilk, and egg yolk—and then generally a bunch of other hard-to-pronounce preservatives and artificial flavors. Eek. Trader Joe’s vegan ranch, on the other hand—which comes complete with a tray of baby carrots, sugar snap peas, celery, broccoli florets, and sweet peppers—is 100 calories per 2 Tbsp, according to a rep for the brand. It boasts a much more straightforward ingredient list: a base
Tag: Well+Good
I’m a 36DD and I can’t stop obsessing over (or wearing) this bra
November 07, 2018 at 05:52AM As a woman who spends a borderline unhealthy amount of time trolling underwear sample sales in search of the perfect bra, let me tell you—once you find the one, you don’t really want to take it off. The bra that truly changed my life is the Chantelle Champs Elysées Lace Demi Bra ($105)—which my mom brought me back in a brown paper bag from a sidewalk sale in Greenwich, Connecticut a few years ago. The first time I put it on I think I wore it for a week straight before washing it (gross I know, sorry) despite it being a not-so-easy-to-wear shade of neon coral. Before we get into the specifics of this miraculous undergarment, let me tell you that I do not take the accolade of the most impressive bra in the world lightly. After years of having my girls strapped in with what felt like industrial seatbelt material, I have become oh so picky about my bras—especially because big-name brands often seem perplexed by the idea that women have breasts bigger than a C cup. But what makes this bra such a marvel are three main features—the width of the bra straps, the shape of the cups, and its overall lightness. Photo: Champs Elysées Never have I felt so free and unrestricted in a bra! It’s the sensation I imagine people who prefer to free boob experience. The straps are thin and light enough that they don’t do that thing where they dig into your shoulders
Inside the most exclusive half marathon in the world, hosted by Lululemon
November 07, 2018 at 05:04AM Having recently undergone hip surgery, Sarah Maloney had her doubts when she entered the lottery for Lululemon’s SeaWheeze Half Marathon. Not because of the necessary rehab it would take to prepare for the 13.1-mile race through Vancouver (a good portion of which takes place next to the Pacific Ocean)—the city which houses the brand’s headquarters. But because she was one of 28,000 people vying for one of 10,000 available bibs in what is arguably the most exclusive half marathon in the world. When she snagged a spot, the Cleveland native booked her flight ($465) and accommodations (about $500 for the weekend), becoming part of the 88 percent of runners who traveled to British Columbia from out of town for the SeaWheeze experience. Experience is an understatement, actually. The Saturday morning race, which dates back to 2012, is only part of the weekend’s festivities. Runners are offered yoga and meditation classes, a post-race carnival called “Sunset Fest” toting everything from a funhouse and a ferris wheel to a concert performance, and—for the first time this year—vision and goal setting sessions similar to the ones that Lululemon corporate employees experience upon accepting a job with the company. And then, there’s the gear. At 7 a.m. Friday, the showcase store (essentially a large pop-up Lululemon shop), opens to runners only. Inside is exclusive SeaWheeze limited edition product and admittedly, some chaos. Hundreds of people are vying for tights, crops, shorts, sports bras, backpacks, tank tops, and hats toting
Munich has way more on the menu than beer and brats: Check out 8 healthy-eating hot spots
November 07, 2018 at 04:00AM I left New York City—and its incredible health-food scene—behind two months ago when I moved to Munich. And while it’s been fun trying classic Bavarian foods like weisswurst and, of course, all the pretzels, sometimes I just want a nourishing green smoothie or a grain bowl. And thankfully, I’ve been in luck. There is no shortage of ways to get your healthy-food fix in this German metropolis I now call home. From a restaurant that does a vegan take on Bavarian classics to the best açaí bowl this side of the Atlantic, wellness grub is covered. And paleo devotees? Well, welcome to paradise. So if Munich is on your wanderlust list (hello, charming holiday markets, Oktoberfest, and nearby castles), stop in a few of these spots to take a break from all the sightseeing—and feel good about and empowered by your eating choices while you’re at it. Consider your Munich meal itinerary set with these healthy hot spots below. View this post on Instagram Who said Munich was just beer and brats? Enjoying all the bowls with @mohorak A post shared by Leslie Barrie (@lesliebarrie) on Oct 10, 2018 at 7:56am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. For the best smoothie bowls: Wagners Here in Germany, muesli is the breakfast of champions—it’s what you’ll see at most coffee shops and breakfast spots. But if you’re looking to change up your a.m. meal while visiting, Wagners is the perfect place to do so. As a California native, I can tell
Is tofurky actually healthy?
November 07, 2018 at 03:56AM One of the most nostalgia-inducing and essential autumn smells is the waft of sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels, buttery pumpkin pie laced with cinnamon and cardamom, and turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving. But as more people adopt a plant-based or vegan lifestyle, that roasted-turkey-in-the-oven-smell is getting replaced by vegan-friendly options (bless). If there’s one turkey-substitute that reigns supreme on Turkey Day it’s tofurkey. Usually spelled “tofurky,” which is the same name of the OG brand responsible for the product’s existence, tofurky is defined by Urban Dictionary as, “A wondrous creation. It is a vaguely meat-like soy product…and some damn fine eating.” If you’ve ever tried tofurky, you know that definition is pretty spot on. But is this melon-shaped, surprisingly bird-textured vegan classic actually healthy? What exactly is in it anyway? (Besides, you know, the obvious.) “There are many different brands that sell tofurky as well as recipes available online for making your own, each with its own specific add-ins. The only real consistent ingredient is tofu,” says Remedy Review advisor Jillian Kubala, MS, RD. That means that the exact ingredient breakdown of the “loaf” varies. Basically, tofurky can be divided into two categories: homemade and store bought. Photo: Stocksy/Jennifer Brister Homemade versus store-bought tofurky Homemade is almost always better than store-bought when it comes to nutritional density—tofurky included. “Many homemade loafs are either made with rice, lentils, and seasonings, which gives you a nice dose of fiber, or simple ingredients ingredients like tofu and herbs,” says Rachel Berman, RD author of Boosting
The sunshine vitamin holds major potential for your cardio workout
November 07, 2018 at 03:30AM Now that hibernation-slash-hygge season is in full swing, soaking up the prescribed dose of Vitamin D (which is 600 IU for people between the ages of 1 to 70 years, according to the Mayo Clinic) becomes seriously challenging. But according to a recent study, doubling down on your efforts despite the frigid temps might be extra, extra if you consider yourself a workout warrior. The study, which was published recently in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found an association between higher levels of vitamin D and better cardiorespiratory fitness (which refers to your body’s ability to supply oxygen to the muscles during exercise), reports Science Daily. By observing 1,995 participants through data from the NHANES database, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that the participants in the top quarter of Vitamin D levels had a fourfold higher cardiorespiratory fitness level than those on the opposite end of the spectrum. Translation: Stepping up your treadmill, HIIT, or spin workouts might be as simple as having a little QT with the sunshine vitamin (in sun-protected IRL, bottled, or edible form). New York City–based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner points out that the exact reason why Vitamin D levels in the blood of people who exercise were higher isn’t completely clear in the research, but he has a few science-backed guesses. “Possible explanations include that exercise makes our bodies more efficient at producing Vitamin D, and that people who exercise are outdoors more and get more sun exposure,” explains the dermatologist. Additionally, he posits that it could be because healthier people are more likely
Color me intrigued: A new hotel lets you pick your room according to your mood
November 06, 2018 at 04:18PM When you check into the Angad Arts Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, after you choose between a queen- or king-size bed, you can choose between happiness and tranquility. Or maybe passion is more your speed… The 146-room hotel, which opened earlier this month, is bursting with color. And the choice isn’t purely for aesthetic reasons: The hoteliers want the rooms’ decor to match—or influence—your mood. “We realized the experience of being in a room that’s all blue or all red is going to have a different effect on the guest,” Steve Smith, CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “If we were going to saturate the rooms with color, why not promote the emotions?” There are four colors in the hotel’s palette: yellow to boost happiness, blue to inspire tranquility, red to ignite passion, and green to encourage rejuvenation. View this post on Instagram Come and get rejuvenated November 1st A post shared by Angad Arts Hotel (@angadartshotel) on Oct 16, 2018 at 2:46pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js But is this a gimmick, or can soaking in a blue bathtub really make you feel extra Zen? “Color has a very strong impact, as our color choices are a reflection of what we need emotionally,” color therapy expert Walaa AlMuhaiteeb, founder of Walaa’s Color Ways, tells me. “The color of our spaces tell us how to live in this space, so a blue space will tell us to relax and let go and even have lovely laid-back conversations. A red room would bring
This $45 white dress is a dead ringer for Meghan Markle’s reception gown
November 06, 2018 at 02:30PM If you instantly had Harry-level googly eyes the second you saw the custom reception gown Stella McCartney made for Meghan Markle to wear after the royal wedding, you’re not alone. The entire world wanted to get their hands on it—and, unfortunately, that’s kind of impossible considering the designer is only making 46 replicas, costing upward of $4,600 a pop (not exactly budget-friendly). But your wardrobe prayers have been answered: There’s now a knockoff available for only $45. According to Page Six, the gown—called the “Royal Debut Dress“—is being sold on Fashion Nova’s website in sizes XS to 3X. Even though it’s currently completely out of stock, it’s worth the wait for it to come back again. The dress—which also looks a whole lot like the Alexander McQueen dress Tiffany Haddish has rocked multiple times in the past—has a silhouette that looks great on duchesses and hilarious actresses alike. “Often times, such a form-fitting dress can be tricky. This one, however, is universally flattering,” stylist Rachel Pincus tells me. She says that the magic lies in a trio of fit-factors—the high neck, the long hem, and the cinch in the middle—which elongate the silhouette and make it work for every body type. Because it’s so flattering, it should come with a warning: Once you put it on, you probably won’t ever want to take it off. And now you totally understand why Haddish isn’t letting her piece collect dust in the back of her closet. Patterned tights are the only things your
You can stop searching for buffalo plaid because we’ve found the season’s best pieces
November 06, 2018 at 12:41PM Flannel is the unofficial fabric of fall. And of all the ways to cozy up to the soft-woven material, buffalo plaid might be the most popular. Don’t believe me? Searches for the checked pattern surged 417 percent on Pinterest recently, and that’s a whole lot of people on the lookout for the oversized gingham print. So many, in fact, I’d guess that they can’t all be lumberjacks…or hipsters Whoever you are, people, your hunt is over because we’ve wrangled the top ways to wear buffalo plaid this season. To start, there’s the classic flannel shirt, which really hasn’t changed much since Woolrich introduced the print in the 1850s. Everything they say about not messing with a good thing applies here—with one exception: This season, button downs benefit from strategic tailoring that’ll make it easier to French tuck or full-on stuff your shirt into your waistband without the extra bulk of a boyfriend shirt. So, do yourself a favor and buy a slim-fitted style like this one from Old Navy ($25)…then steal your actual S.O.’s for the days you don’t feel like being quite so put together. Photo: Old Navy Can’t bring yourself to dress like Paul Bunyon? Madewell’s got you. They’ve put a more modern twist on the checked pattern with a short-sleeve, slightly boxy courier shirt ($74). (In case you were wondering, it’s totally fine to wear it whether you’re couriering anything or not.) Plus, judging by the number of five-star reviews and people
Seriously, *why* is it that so staggeringly few eligible voters actually go to the polls?
November 06, 2018 at 12:33PM “Why would people choose not to vote?” I pondered, in the middle of a long game of Snake on my phone. There I was, stress levels through the roof, as I stood in line at my polling site, sweating in my leopard-print coat, clutching my ballot protectively as other voters bumped along. While promising early-voting stats set the stage for higher-than-normal levels of voter turnout at today’s midterm election, historically speaking, only 4 out of 10 eligible people actually cast their ballot. How is that possible? Why do voters decide against voting? In the last midterm election, 36 percent of the eligible voter population actually saw out their civic duty (it was reportedly the lowest turnout in over 70 years), and in 2010, 2006, and 2002, the voting rate hovered right around 40 percent. Less than half the population showing up for the midterms is a solid trend—but for the love of the future of this nation, why? “Some feel depressed and apathetic and feel that their voice doesn’t matter, even though that’s not true.” —Paulette Sherman, PsyD According to New York City–based psychologist Dr. Paulette Sherman, PsyD, the reason tends to be a blend of emotional factors and a lack of convenience. “Some feel depressed and apathetic, and feel that their voice doesn’t matter, even though that’s not true,” Dr. Sherman says. And doesn’t it kind of make sense that the vibe of hopelessness permeates the voting experience for many? If your emotional association with election season is